Food and Technology News - Friends of the Earth Australiahttp://www.foe.org.au/food_and_technology_news
Genetically modified?<p><img style="margin: 10px;" src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/686/attachments/original/1522120268/watermelon_girl_600x400px.jpg?1522120268" alt="" width="600" height="400" /><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Soon you won’t know if the biotechnology industry gets its way. <a href="https://friendsoftheearthmelbourne.good.do/geneticallymodified/emailFSANZ/">Take action!</a></strong></p>Tue, 27 Mar 2018 14:14:00 +1100Louise Saleshttp://www.foe.org.au/genetically
Pesticides in Food Forum Featuring Professor Alfred Poulos<p><img title="Professor Alfred Poulos" src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/672/attachments/original/1519958911/Alfred_Polous_Blog.jpg?1519958911" alt="Professor Alfred Poulos" width="600" height="400"></p>
<p>Friends of the Earth is proudly hosting Professor Poulos to speak about Pesticides in Food. Emphasis during the presentation will include: Different susceptibilities to pesticides (based on genetics, age and development in the womb) and acute and chronic health impacts.</p>Fri, 02 Mar 2018 13:52:00 +1100Phil Evanshttp://www.foe.org.au/alfred_poulos_food_forum
CSIRO planning US military funded genetic extinction experiments in Western Australia<p><img style="margin: 10px;" src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/667/attachments/original/1519370759/Mus_Musculus-huismuis600x400.jpg?1519370759" alt="Mus_Musculus-huismuis600x400.jpg" width="600" height="400" /></p>
<p>A raft of emails obtained through a Freedom of Information request (<a href="http://genedrivefiles.synbiowatch.org/">The Gene Drive Files</a>) reveal that CSIRO and University of Adelaide scientists are part of a US military funded global network researching a risky new genetic modification (GM) technique referred to as gene drives. The group have already <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bS_UWa92PJzMaeAwMOrDSfN22JIZUqQz/view?usp=sharing">identified</a> six potential islands in Western Australia where they intend to use the technique to drive local mice populations to extinction.</p>Sat, 24 Feb 2018 06:00:03 +1100Louise Saleshttp://www.foe.org.au/csiro_planning_us_military_funded_genetic_extinction_experiments_in_western_australia
Stop the Government deregulating genetically modified animals<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/664/attachments/original/1518482314/GMO.jpg?1518482314" alt="GMO.jpg" width="600" height="400"></p>
<p>The Government is proposing changes to our Gene Technology Regulations which would make Australia the first country in the world to deregulate a range of new genetic modification (GM) techniques in animals, plants and microbes.</p>Fri, 09 Feb 2018 16:12:00 +1100Cam Walkerhttp://www.foe.org.au/_stop_the_government_deregulating_genetically_modified_animals
Civil society rejects GMOs at Food and Agriculture Organisation meeting<p><img title="Civil society rejects GMOs at Food and Agriculture Organisation meeting" src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/662/attachments/original/1517532698/Civil_society_rejects_GMOs_at_Food_and_Agriculture_Organisation_meeting.jpg?1517532698" alt="Civil society rejects GMOs at Food and Agriculture Organisation meeting" width="600" height="400"></p>
<p>Civil society representatives firmly rejected genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as a means of addressing world food security at a recent Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) meeting in Malaysia. The event was funded by the pro-GM US, Canadian and Australian governments.</p>Fri, 02 Feb 2018 11:52:43 +1100Louise Saleshttp://www.foe.org.au/civil_society_rejects_gmos_food_agriculture_organisation_meeting
Documents reveal FSANZ misled minister regarding nanoparticles in baby formula<p>Documents released under Freedom of Information laws show that our food regulator Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) misled Minister David Gillespie regarding both the safety and legality of nanoparticles in baby formula.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>Sun, 14 Jan 2018 06:03:00 +1100Louise Saleshttp://www.foe.org.au/documents_reveal_fsanz_misled_minister_regarding_nanoparticles_in_baby_formula
Stop the Government shredding the rules on GMOs<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/532/attachments/original/1509491729/shredder_web_banner_400x600.png?1509491729" alt="shredder_web_banner_400x600.png" /></p>
<p>The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) plans to deregulate a range of new dangerous new genetic modification techniques such as CRISPR.</p>Wed, 01 Nov 2017 10:18:00 +1100Louise Saleshttp://www.foe.org.au/stop_the_government_shredding_the_rules_on_gmos
Don’t let Monsanto get their way<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/497/attachments/original/1503015634/gene-editing-2.jpg?1503015634" alt="gene-editing-2.jpg" /></p>
<p>The genetically modified (GM) crop industry is not happy. It’s been over 20 years since the introduction of the first GM crops to Australia and the majority of our food remains GM free – because quite frankly we don’t want to eat GMOs.</p>
<p>However, the GM crop industry has a plan.</p>Thu, 17 Aug 2017 11:01:00 +1000Cam Walkerhttp://www.foe.org.au/don_t_let_monsanto_get_their_way
Confused about nanoparticles in baby formula?<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/464/attachments/original/1499330281/Mum_and_baby_looking_worried.jpg?1499330281" alt="Mum_and_baby_looking_worried.jpg" /></p>
<p>We are not surprised. There have been a number of recent articles in the media slamming the recent independent testing Friends of the Earth commissioned and the concerns that we raised regarding the particles that we found.</p>Thu, 06 Jul 2017 18:30:00 +1000Louise Saleshttp://www.foe.org.au/confused_about_nanoparticles_in_baby_formula
Illegal and potentially toxic nanoparticles found in baby formula<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/463/attachments/original/1498948666/FOE_baby_formula_600x400.jpg?1498948666" alt="FOE_baby_formula_600x400.jpg" /></p>
<p>Independent <a href="http://emergingtech.foe.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Nanoparticles-in-infant-formula-briefingJune-2017-FINAL.pdf">testing</a> commissioned by Friends of the Earth has found nanoparticles in popular Australian infant formula products that are both illegal in Australia and potentially dangerous. Three of the seven samples tested contained nano-hydroxyapatite particles. Nano-hydroxyapatite has been <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_191.pdf">found</a> to cause cell death in the liver and kidneys of rats and is <a href="http://emergingtech.foe.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/FSANZ-website-statement-on-nano-hydroxyapatite-Oct-16-1.pdf">prohibited</a> from use in infant formula in Australia in any form.</p>Sun, 02 Jul 2017 08:27:00 +1000Louise Saleshttp://www.foe.org.au/nanoparticles_in_baby_formula
Dr Michael Antoniou is visiting Australia<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/381/attachments/original/1489457060/Dr_Michael_Antoniou.jpg?1489457060" alt="Dr_Michael_Antoniou.jpg" /></p>
<p>In late March, Dr Michael Antoniou, Reader in Molecular Genetics at King’s College London School of Life Sciences will be visiting Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. He is here to discuss his concerns with a range of new genetic engineering techniques that the Federal Government is currently proposing not to regulate.</p>Tue, 14 Mar 2017 13:05:00 +1100Louise Saleshttp://www.foe.org.au/dr_michael_antoniou_is_visiting_australia
Our government just gave Monsanto the best Christmas present ever<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/317/attachments/original/1484020717/GMOS_%281%29.jpg?1484020717" alt="GMOS_(1).jpg" /></p>
<p>Last year the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - declared glyphosate – the main ingredient in the herbicide RoundUp – a probable carcinogen. We hoped that the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) – would intervene to protect our health. It hasn’t.</p>
<p>The APVMA has decided not to review its current approval for glyphosate because it claims to know better than the specialised cancer agency of the World Health Organisation. Why so? Because it has access to unpublished industry data that has never been subject to peer review and that regulators refuse to make public!</p>Wed, 21 Dec 2016 15:00:00 +1100Louise Saleshttp://www.foe.org.au/our_government_just_gave_monsanto_the_best_christmas_present_ever
LAST CHANCE! Stop the Government sneaking untested, unlabelled GMOs in our food<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/316/attachments/original/1484020324/GMOS.jpg?1484020324" alt="GMOS.jpg" /></p>
<p>Australia’s gene technology regulator is proposing changes to its gene technology regulations that would allow products derived from genetically modified (GM) plants, animals and microbes untested and unlabelled into our food.</p>
<p>If the OGTR deregulates these new GM techniques there will be no monitoring or surveillance. Anyone from amateur biohackers - to industry - to terror groups would be free to use them to genetically modify plants, animals and microbes. Entirely new diseases and poisons could be made. And they could enter our food chain and our environment with no safety testing and no labelling. The results could be catastrophic.</p>Thu, 15 Dec 2016 14:53:00 +1100Louise Saleshttp://www.foe.org.au/stop_government_sneaking_untested_unlabelled_gmos_our_food
160 global groups call for a moratorium on gene drives<p><strong><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/332/attachments/original/1484176765/Gene_drives.jpg?1484176765" alt="Gene_drives.jpg" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Cancun, Mexico – </strong>This week, international conservation and environmental leaders are calling on governments at the 2016 UN Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) to establish a <a href="http://www.synbiowatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/CBD-Gene-Drive-Sign-on-Letter-English.pdf">moratorium</a> on the controversial genetic extinction technology called gene drives.</p>
<p>Gene drives, developed through new gene-editing techniques- are designed to force a particular genetically engineered trait to spread through an entire wild population – potentially changing entire species or even causing deliberate extinctions. The <a href="http://www.synbiowatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/CBD-Gene-Drive-Sign-on-Letter-English.pdf">statement</a> urges governments to put in place an urgent, global moratorium on the development and release of the new technology, which poses serious and potentially irreversible threats to biodiversity, as well as national sovereignty, peace and food security.</p>Thu, 08 Dec 2016 10:15:00 +1100Louise Saleshttp://www.foe.org.au/160_global_groups_call_for_a_moratorium_on_gene_drives
Markets say retain state powers over GM bans and keep GM food labelling<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/236/attachments/original/1478144268/gm_free_food.jpg?1478144268" alt="gm_free_food.jpg" />GM-Free Australia Alliance members reject the Productivity Commission’s recommendations to remove states’ rights to ban genetically manipulated (GM) crops for marketing reasons and to remove GM food labelling. GM crops pose unacceptable risks to our health, the environment and key export markets and removing the bans and GM labeling would eliminate choice for farmers and consumers.</p>
<p>Louise Sales from Friends of the Earth’s Emerging Tech Project says: “The Productivity Commission has ignored the compelling evidence from the Tasmanian and South Australian Governments, and other stakeholders, that show the value of remaining GM-free. Instead its report reads like a Monsanto press release.”</p>Thu, 21 Jul 2016 14:35:00 +1000Cam Walkerhttp://www.foe.org.au/markets_say_retain_state_powers_over_gm_bans_and_keep_gm_food_labelling
This time FSANZ has gone too far<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/240/attachments/original/1478146412/Nanotechnology_Food.jpg?1478146412" alt="Nanotechnology_Food.jpg" />Our food regulator Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has misrepresented the findings of two independent reports it commissioned on the safety of nanomaterials in food and food packaging. The reports were supposed to have been completed by June 2015 but were never released. On 27<sup>th</sup> May 2016 Friends of the Earth submitted an FOI request to FSANZ for these reports and associated documents. Six days after the request was filed FSANZ released the reports – claiming that the reports concluded <strong>“</strong><a href="http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/foodtech/Pages/Reports-on-the-use-of-nanotechnology-in-food-additives-and-packaging-.aspx">none of the nanotechnologies described are of health concern.</a>”<a id="_ednref1" name="_ednref1" href="http://emergingtech.foe.org.au/this-time-fsanz-has-gone-too-far/#_edn1"></a></p>
<p>This as a deliberate misrepresentation of the reports. In fact, the reports draw attention to the major data gaps regarding the safety of nanoparticles in food and food packaging and raise concerns regarding the potential toxicity of nano-silica, titanium dioxide and silver.</p>Fri, 10 Jun 2016 15:08:00 +1000Louise Saleshttp://www.foe.org.au/this_time_fsanz_has_gone_too_far
FSANZ fails us again: risky nanoparticles found in baby formula<p><span><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/241/attachments/original/1478146744/Nano_Particles_Baby_Formula.jpg?1478146744" alt="Nano_Particles_Baby_Formula.jpg" /></span></p>
<p><span>Wednesday, 18th May 2016</span><br><br><span>Independent </span><a href="http://emergingtech.foe.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/FoE-baby-formula-testing-briefing-2016.pdf" target="_blank">testing</a><span> commissioned by Friends of the Earth US has found risky nanoparticles deemed unsafe for use in toothpaste in baby formula. Six samples of baby formula made by Gerber®, Enfamil®, Similac® and Well Beginnings™ - which are all available online in Australia - were tested. Four of the samples contained nanoparticles of hydroxyapatite. Furthermore, 100 per cent of the hydroxyapatite particles in the samples were nano - demonstrating conclusively that they were intentionally produced (1).</span><br><br><span>The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) </span><a href="http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_191.pdf" target="_blank">concluded</a><span> that the needle-like form of nano-hydroxyapatite found in Gerber® Good Start Gentle®, Well Beginnings™ Advantage®, and Enfamil® formulas, which is similar in shape to asbestos, is potentially toxic and should not be used in toothpastes, tooth whiteners and mouth washes.</span></p>Wed, 18 May 2016 15:15:00 +1000Cam Walkerhttp://www.foe.org.au/fsanz_fails_us_again_risky_nanoparticles_found_in_baby_formula
Introducing the GM–Free Australia Alliance<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/254/attachments/original/1478153116/GMFAA.jpg?1478153116" alt="GMFAA.jpg" /></p>
<p>The GM–Free Australia Alliance has joined FoE Australia as an affiliate member. Welcome aboard! For a full list of our affiliates, <a href="http://www.foe.org.au/affiliates">please check here</a>.</p>
<p>The GM–Free Australia Alliance Inc is an independent not-for-profit alliance of groups and individuals sharing common concerns about the threat of Genetic Manipulation (GM) of food and crops in Australia.</p>
<p><br>Visit our website : <a href="http://www.gmfreeaustralia.org.au/" target="_blank">www.gmfreeaustralia.org.au</a><br>Facebook : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gmfreezeoz/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/gmfreezeoz/</a></p>Wed, 23 Dec 2015 16:56:00 +1100Cam Walkerhttp://www.foe.org.au/introducing_the_gm_free_australia_alliance
Australian regulators set to sneak new GM crops untested and unlabelled into our food<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/256/attachments/original/1478218969/UNLABELLED_GM_CROPS_TRYING_TO_BE_SNUCK_INTO_AUSTRALIA.jpg?1478218969" alt="UNLABELLED_GM_CROPS_TRYING_TO_BE_SNUCK_INTO_AUSTRALIA.jpg" /></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A new Friends of the Earth <a href="http://emergingtech.foe.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/FOE-GM2-Report-A4-interactive.pdf" target="_blank">report</a> reveals that our regulators are planning to allow foods derived from a range of new genetic modification (GM) techniques untested and unlabelled onto our supermarket shelves and that they have misled the Senate on the issue.</span></span></p>
<p><a href="https://friendsoftheearthmelbourne.good.do/whatpartofnogmosdonttheyunderstand" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Take action – tell Fiona Nash to rein in the regulators</span></span></a></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Large agrochemical companies such as Dow, Syngenta, Bayer and Monsanto have been investing in a suite of risky new GM techniques and arguing that they are not really GM in order to attempt to circumvent regulation and public resistance to GMOs.</span></span></p>Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:01:00 +1100Cam Walkerhttp://www.foe.org.au/australian_regulators_set_to_sneak_new_gm_crops_untested_and_unlabelled_into_our_food
Help us stop the Government from deregulating GMOs by stealth<p><span><img style="float: left;" src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/foe/pages/294/attachments/original/1480646874/Help_us_stop_the_Government_from_deregulating_GMOs_by_stealth.jpg?1480646874" alt="Help_us_stop_the_Government_from_deregulating_GMOs_by_stealth.jpg" /></span></p>
<p> Friends of the Earth is concerned that the Government’s moves to delete the definitions of gene technology, GMO (genetically modified organism) and GM product from the Food Standards Act are an attempt to deregulate risky new genetic engineering techniques by stealth. Furthermore, it appears that the Government has not discussed these proposed changes with either the state governments or the New Zealand Government. The Food Standards Australia New Zealand Amendment Bill 2015 is scheduled for debate in the House today and Senate tomorrow.</p>Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:00:00 +1100Cam Walkerhttp://www.foe.org.au/help_us_stop_the_government_from_deregulating_gmos_by_stealth